Few things are more agitating to a golfer than having to deal with frequent slice shots. You may have the perfect set of clubs or the best golf GPS system money can buy, but if your shots are curving to the right you are not going to be happy with your score at the end of the round. Fortunately, learning how to correct a stubborn slice is not as hard as some players make it out to be. It does, however, require a little know how and practice.

Most slice shots are caused by an incorrect swing path. When the face of the club is even slightly open it will cause the ball to spin and go off path. Having a weak grip is another cause of slicing. A weaker grip forces you to not hit the ball dead on when you make contact.

Since a weak grip is a common cause of a slice, you should try to correct this possibility first. A weak grip is not actually how tight you are holding the driver, but is actually when you are holding the club at too much of a counter-clockwise angle. To correct this, adjust your grip more to the right if you are right handed, or more to the left if you are left handed. Try to keep your grip only tight enough to maintain control of the driver. Your arms and wrist should not be tense as you swing.

An improper backswing can also wreak havoc on your shots. When you pull back, your driver should be over your shoulder and not over your head. A good way to practice this is to pay attention to where your left arm (if you are right handed) is going. If your arm is crossing your chest you likely have a good backswing. Try not to let the position of your wrists change during your backswing, as this can produce errant shots.

Oftentimes you can correct a golf slice by simply increasing the speed of your swing. If you believe your grip is correct you should try this next. You should also pay attention to your stance. Try not to bend over, standing straight with your knees just slightly bent. Your feet should be spread to approximately the same width as your shoulders. Never take your eye off the ball and try to clear your mind before you swing.

You may need to practice these things over and over until you are certain that you have corrected any errors. A slice could be caused by just one or several of these mistakes. The good news is that with practice you can correct a golf slice and move on to playing the best rounds of golf you’ve ever played.